Dehumidification apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for dehumidifying air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first and second dehumidifiers, both of which employ a desiccant. Air to be dehumidified is passed through the first dehumdifier, then through the second dehumidifer, and from the second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned. The desiccants of the two dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air so that it is dehumidified before it reaches the space. The apparatus also includes a first regenerator for the desiccant of the first dehumidifier, and a second regenerator for the desiccant of the second dehumidifier. Air is passed to and through each of the regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and is then discharged. Heat of sorption is transferred from the two dehumidifiers, and moisture laden desiccant is moved from each of the dehumidifiers to its regenerator; finally, heat is transferred to each of the regenerators, and the heat transferred to the first regenerator includes heat of sorption from the first dehumidifier. Absorbed moisture is rejected from the regenerators.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for dehumidifying air comprising, in combination, first and second dehumidifiers, both of which employ a desiccant, means for passing air to be dehumidified through said first dehumidifier and then through said second dehumidifier, whereby moisture is removed by the desiccants and the air is dehumidified, and from said second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned, a first regenerator for the desiccant of said first dehumidifier, a second regenerator for the desiccant of said second dehumidifier, means for passing air to and through each of said regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and then from said regenerators, means for transferring heat of sorption from said first and second dehumidifiers, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said first dehumidifier to said first regenerator, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said second dehumidifier to said second regenerator, and means for transferring heat to said regenerators, said last-named means including means for transferring heat of sorption from said first dehumidifier to said first regenerator, whereby absorbed moisture is rejected from said regenerators. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for dehumidifying air wherein said means for passing air to and through said regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and then from said regenerators includes means for withdrawing air from the space to be conditined, and for passing the withdrawn air through and from said first regenerator. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 which additionally includes means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving said second regenerator and air entering said second regenerator. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 which additionally includes refrigeration means having a heat collecting section and a heat rejection section, wherein said refrigeration means is operable to transfer heat from air leaving said second regenerator to the heat rejection section, and wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerators includes means for transferring heat from the heat rejection section of said refrigeration means into regenerating relationship with the hygroscopic material in said second regenerator. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said refrigeration means is positioned to transfer heat from air leaving said second regenerator from which heat has already been transferred by said means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus for dehumidifying air comprising, in combination, a first dehumidifier which is a rotatable, sectored wheel comprising a support impregnated with a desiccant, a second dehumidifier which employs a desiccant, means for passing air to be dehumidified through a given sector of said first dehumidifier and then through said second dehumidifier, whereby moisture is removed by the desiccants and the air is dehumidified, and from said second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned, means for passing regenerating air through a second given sector of said first dehumidifier and then from said first dehumidifier, means for causing the wheel of said first dehumidifier to rotate so that successive sectors thereof are presented repeatedly (a) for the passing therethrough of air to be dehumidified and (b) for the passing therethrough of regenerating air while heat of sorption is transferred to the regenerating air, a regenerator for the desiccant of said second dehumidifier, means for passing air to and through said regenerator in contact with the desiccant therein and then from said regenerator, means for transferring heat of sorption from said second dehumidifier, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said second dehumidifier to said regenerator, and means for transferring heat to said regenerator, whereby absorbed moisture is rejected therefrom. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 for dehumidifying air wherein said means for passing regenerating air through a second given sector of said first dehumidifier and then from said first dehumidifier includes means for withdrawing air from the space to be conditioned and for passing that air through and from said first dehumidifier. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 which additionally includes means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 which additionally includes refrigeration means having a heat collecting section and a heat rejection section, wherein said refrigeration means is operable to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator to the heat rejection section, and wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerator includes means for transferring heat from the heat rejection section of said refrigeration means into regenerating relationship with the hygroscopic material in said regenerator. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said refrigeration means is positioned to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator from which heat has already been transferred by said means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second dehumidifier is one in which an aqueous desiccant is sprayed in contact with air to be dehumidified. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 for dehumidifying air wherein said means for passing regenerating air through a second given sector of said first dehumidifier and then from said first dehumidifier includes means for withdrawing air from the space to be conditioned and for passing that air through and from said first dehumidifier. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 which additionally includes means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 which additionally includes refrigeration means having a heat collecting section and a heat rejection section, wherein said refrigeration means is operable to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator to the heat rejection section, and wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerator includes means for transferring heat from the heat rejection section of said refrigeration means into regenerating relationship with the hygroscopic material in said regenerator. 
     
     
       15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said refrigeration means is positioned to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator from which heat has already been transferred by said means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 which additionally includes means for converting a fuel into heat and shaft work and means for converting the shaft work into work required in the building served by the apparatus, and wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerator includes means for transferring thermal energy from said power means into regenerating relationship with the hygroscopic material in said regenerator. 
     
     
       17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 for dehumidifying air wherein said means for passing regenerating air through a second given sector of said first dehumidifier and then from said first dehumidifier includes means for withdrawing air from the space to be conditioned and for passing that air through and from said first dehumidifier. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 which additionally includes means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 which additionally includes refrigeration means having a heat collecting section and a heat rejection section, wherein said refrigeration means is operable to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator to the heat rejection section, and wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerator includes means for transferring heat from the heat rejection section of said refrigeration means into regenerating relationship with the hygroscopic material in said regenerator. 
     
     
       20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said refrigeration means is positioned to transfer heat from air leaving said regenerator from which heat has already been transferred by said means for effecting heat transfer between air leaving and air entering said regenerator. 
     
     
       21. Apparatus for dehumidifying air comprising, in combination, first and second dehumidifiers, both of which employ a desiccant, means for passing air to be dehumidified through said first dehumidifier and then through said second dehumidifier, whereby moisture is removed by the desiccants and the air is dehumidified, and from said second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned, a first regenerator for the desiccant of said first dehumidifier, a second regenerator for the desiccant of said second dehumidifier, means for passing air to and through each of said regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and then from said regenerators, means for transferring heat of sorption from said first and second dehumidifiers, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said first dehumidifier to said first regenerator, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said second dehumidifier to said second regenerator, and means for transferring heat to said regenerators, said last-named means including means for pumping heat to said second regenerator from air to be dehumidified before it enters said first dehumidifier, whereby absorbed moisture is rejected from said regenerators. 
     
     
       22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said means for transferring heat to said regenerators additionally includes means for pumping heat to said second regenerator from air being dehumidified after it leaves said first dehumidifier but before it enters said second dehumidifier. 
     
     
       23. Apparatus for dehumidifying air comprising, in combination, first and second dehumidifiers, both of which employ a desiccant, means for passing air to be dehumidified through said first dehumidifier and then through said second dehumidifier, whereby moisture is removed by the desiccants and the air is dehumidified, and from said second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned, a first regenerator for the desiccant of said first dehumidifier, a second regenerator for the desiccant of said second dehumidifier, means for passing air to and through each of said regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and then from said regenerators, means for transferring heat of sorption from said first and second dehumidifiers, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said first dehumidifier to said first regenerator, means for moving moisture laden desiccant from said second dehumidifier to said second regenerator, and means for transferring heat to said regenerators, said last-named means including means for pumping heat to said second regenerator from air being dehumidified after it leaves said first dehumidifier and before it enters said second dehumidifier, whereby absorbed moisture is rejected from said regenerators.